Alternative News

Bitcoin takes off — on the ground in Berlin

"Across the Spree River on Berlin’s north side, Aaron Koenig dons a bowler cap as he welcomes guests to an industrial co-working space for the second Berlin Bitcoin Exchange (BXB) — a monthly event he founded to allow buyers and sellers to meet face to face and exchange Bitcoins for euros, dollars or otherwise. Both June and July’s exchanges drew a fluid crowd of about 50 people, with plans to expand the event into a maker’s market where visitors can spend their Bitcoins right after purchasing them. Koenig said growing problems with the euro mean the benefits of Bitcoin are beginning to outweigh the risks." Continue reading →

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Pops In China’s Construction Bubble (But It’s Not Going To End)

"'Government and banking industry sources familiar with the situation' who 'declined to be named due to the highly sensitive nature of the matter,' have been spilling the beans to the South China Morning Post. The central government, they said, is considering an 'unofficial economic stimulus' to prop up key economies like Shanghai. On the quiet! For that purpose, Agricultural Bank of China, one of the state-owned megabanks, inked a deal to lend the city of Shanghai 250 billion yuan (about $41 billion) for a number of big construction projects, the sources said. The loan would amount to 12.5% of Shanghai’s 2012 GDP." Continue reading →

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A Second Shot at History’s Greatest Investment Trend

"China is on the verge of rolling back its infamous one-child policy. When it does – likely later this year or early next year – a modern baby boom will erupt. The Chinese birth rate will ratchet higher as Chinese families are finally free to have a second child, and a spending wave will wash across the Middle Kingdom that will spawn potentially massive profits for those who invest in this demographic wave. Thus it is that China’s future is your chance to go back in time and own the kinds of stocks – McDonald’s, J.C. Penney, Coca-Cola and others – that generated fortunes for investors as they moved into their explosive growth phase because of the boomers." Continue reading →

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Two Gold ETFs Ripe For A Buy: GDX, GDXJ

"When it comes to playing the gold comeback, there are plenty of trading options. The Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (GDX) is performing well in short-term trade. But I’m much more interested in its potential breakout over $31. The stock is getting within spitting distance of its post-crash intraday high of $30.96 (which it posted back in May). If it can close above that level, it will be well on its way to filling in that nasty gap lower from April. That said, GDX is a buy at $31. If you’re feeling adventurous, the Market Vectors Junior Gold Miner ETF (NYSE:GDXJ) might be right up your alley." Continue reading →

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Offshore Jurisdiction Review: Malta

"Malta is attractive to entrepreneurs, workers, and retirees alike. The government has special programs for high net worth retirees. There are several tax advantages to living in Malta. Only income remitted into Malta is subject to taxation, meaning you can own offshore investments and not pay a dime in tax. Furthermore, remittance of capital gains into Malta is tax free. Malta has no inheritance tax, wealth tax, or annual property tax. Put together low taxation, low cost of living, and year-round sunshine, and it becomes clear why Malta is very attractive to live and work in. EU nationals do not need any residence permit." Continue reading →

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Are Dividends Overrated?

"Many investors like dividend-paying stocks because they are looking for income. Maybe they are retired. Maybe they want to supplement other income sources. But investing for dividend income is probably not the most efficient approach—even for these types of people. Warren Buffett talks about this issue in his latest letter to the shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway. He gives a good explanation of why it's better for investors when companies reinvest their profits in growth rather than pay out dividends. That is assuming the companies have any decently profitable investment opportunities, which is to say, almost all of the time." Continue reading →

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Greece will need third bailout, German minister says

"A month before general elections in Germany, finance minister Wolfgang Schaeuble has broken the taboo of admitting that Greece will need a third bailout when the current one runs out, in 2014. 'There will have to be another programme in Greece,' Schaeuble said on Tuesday during a campaign rally in the northern-German town of Ahrensburg. As part of a third programme, he mentioned another lowering of the interest rates on the loans the eurozone has given to Greece. So far, the German government has steered clear of admitting that the current bailout, worth €130 billion, will not suffice to get Greece out of the vicious spiral of deficit and debt." Continue reading →

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Show Me the Manual: An Internet Town Hall [2012]

"Recorded live on location at Code for America, this town hall deals with the question of Incorporation by Reference, a legal technique where private standards become federal law, available only for those with sufficient means to be informed citizens. Featuring Jennifer Pahlka, Tim O'Reilly, Carl Malamud, and the 2012 Code for America Fellows, this program was recorded on May 4, 2012." Continue reading →

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Secret Service nabs Oklahoma driver’s license equipment burglars

"Two men are accused of committing multiple felony burglaries at metro area tag agencies. They were after the equipment and supplies needed to make Oklahoma driver’s licenses and ID cards. 591 customers had their personal information stolen along with the equipment. We keep piling on security feature like biometrics to our state driver’s license but the weakest link is the local DMV or tag agencies. This sort of crime is happening all over the country. All the personal data and high tech security features in the world will not make the card secure. Instead what it does is make the document a hot commodity for crooks." Continue reading →

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